MIAMI, Florida (June 6, 2005)

¿Who is your favorite rival for the NBA Finals 2005?
I’m very happy about playing. Both are great teams offensively and defensively. Whichever team we have to play against will be difficult and we really have no preference. We are simply waiting to see which team we are up against.

A few days ago, as a result of the launch of the new Star Wars movie, people were playing with your last name and one of the characters in the movie. Do you think this is a reflection of your popularity in the United States?
It was just something that came up in San Antonio because my name rhymed and it coincided with the launch of the movie. But I don’t think it goes anywhere beyond the city. I just take it like something funny and that’s it.

Manu Ginobili (Elsa/NBAE/Getty Images)

This week, Brazil and Argentina are playing for a spot in the 2006 World Cup. Will you watch the game?
If I don’t have to train then I’ll try to watch it. I’m here with my brothers and I’ll try to watch it with them like old times. I’ve been very disconnected from what the national league, but like a good Argentine, I’ll be supporting it all the way.

San Antonio was one of the best teams defensively this season, the worst thing that could probably happen to you is to face Detroit, one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.
Playing with Detroit, if they win, will be slow and very defensive, it would be a game with low scores. I think it’s very possible. You won’t see games of 115 points like against Phoenix. But this team is ready to face any rival. If we play against Miami, I don’t think we’ll have high scoring games either.

What is the element that differentiates the Spurs from other teams in the league?
I think Tim Duncan, without a doubt. But the franchise management has been fundamental. Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford have managed to build a great team and have very clear objectives, the game plan. Everyone on the team knows what we need to get to where we are now.

This will be your second time in the NBA Finals. How would you compare this team to the one from the 2003 season?
They are very similar. What changes the most is probably that this team plays quicker in the offense line, not focusing the game on Duncan. We now have more variables, but the idea of our game and defense is the same and we hope the results are the same.

It’s said that Tim Duncan is key for the team. How important is Manu Ginóbili to this team?
There are key players, some more than others. Duncan is one of the top three players in the NBA and one of the league’s superstars. And any team would revolve around a player like this, like for example, Phoenix with Steve Nash, Minnesota with Garnett, Lakers with Kobe Bryant, this is clear. But I think Tony Parker and I have improved a lot and we now have more offensive responsibilities than in years past. The team needs us but you have to be conscious of the fact that the team revolves around Duncan.

Why does San Antonio accommodate so well defensively and offensively to its rivals?
You have to have a clear defensive system, like ours and the willingness to defend. We’ve historically done it really well. There are games where we must play faster and others where we need Tony’s or my own penetrations, or other times when we need someone to play inside Duncan. I think we are a versatile team: we have interior mechanisms for a slow game and players for a fast game, like Tony and me. This team is versatile and has been able to do tons of different things in the past.

Do you feel you’re treated differently by the referees now that you’ve been in the league for three years?
Yes, I think that three years with some level of success allows you to better communicate with referees and receive better treatment. That happens everywhere. Beyond being able to charge more or less, just being able to clear some confusion or ask questions to better understand a call on the court is better and makes for a more relaxed environment.

How can you attack Miami or Detroit?
Both teams are very similar. They have a lot of power internally and externally. I think the key is to defend hard and then for the attack, be as altruistic as possible. I think that at this level, where the defenses are so good, the winners are the ones who make the extra pass, the unselfish one and the one that looks for the open teammate.

If your rival is Miami, is there a special way to play with Shaquille O’Neal?
Shaq’s size makes it necessary for you to have to send someone to help the man covering him at some point, because he’s so big. It’s not the same to cover Shaq as it is to cover Ben Wallace. In general, the important thing is to be aggressive and execute good defensive rotations. But still, sometimes you have to cover Rasheed Wallace or Tayshaun Price strongly too.

Everyone talks about Shaquille O’Neal’s performance, but wade has been a key factor for Miami…
I have no doubt that Dwyane Wade had an equal or even better season than Shaquille O’Neal. I think he was overlooked at the time of selecting this year’s MVP – he played several key and very good games. It’s difficult to defend him and compared to Shaq, he’s just as important.

You have already won an NBA ring, what does it mean to you to go for the second one?
It’s staying on top. Sometimes it’s more difficult to get there than it is to stay on top. It would be incredible for me to be able to repeat the championship, especially now that I have more playing time. I hope we can win this year again.

What can you learn about the Lakers, a team that came as a favorite and ended the season losing to a theoretically weak team from the East?
This is a great example about the real meaning of sports today. Good teams win, not good individuals. It doesn’t matter who the favorite is, what really matters is who plays best as a team and is less selfish – that’s the one that will always win. Detroit had a great team game last year, great defense and we hope to be able to copy that in the finals this year.

Do you think this resting period, pause, is good for you before the finals or is it a negative thing?
It’s a little of both. It benefits us because after a difficult series like Seattle and then running against Phoenix, we were able to recuperate, some from their injuries, Duncan from his hit in his ankles. So resting a little is definitely a good thing. But playing for eight days keeps you in shape and keeps you from losing the rhythm. But I do think it’s better to have a few days of rest as opposed to being in the situation that Miami and Detroit are now in, not knowing who will advance.